New in Town (2009)

It can be difficult to create a family drama that lasts more than a season or two. If you're too heavy on the drama it can be melancholy and not fun to watch. Conversely, if you try to balance it with comedy it becomes a romp and loses its edge which is part of the formula for success. ​

​With the template of shows like 'Modern Family' and 'black-ish', 'Kim's Convenience' explores the often tumultuous relationships of a Korean family in Toronto. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Kim’( Paul Sun-Hyung Lee/Jean Yoon) own Kim's Convenience, the show's namesake and neighborhood convenience store. The Kim siblings, Jung and Janet, (Simu Liu/Andrea Bang) were born in Canada but 'Mr. and Mrs. Kim' are Korean immigrants.

The fact that their first names aren't used is one of the consistent reminders of the cultural tenor of the show. Listening to the Kim's accents can be overwhelming and even come across as a tired stereotype but there's no mistaking who they are and where they are from which is probably the point.

Season after season 'Kim's Convenience' tackles a range of issues. Obviously, discrimination is addressed but also father-son rivalries, gender roles, workplace romance, etc. We experience the full tapestry of interpersonal conflicts in this tight-knit Toronto neighborhood.